Q&A with Marcus, Titan Tour Manager

And that’s what makes Marcus such a fantastic tour manager - his genuine passion for meeting and treating our customers. “The view that some ‘independent’ travellers have of escorted touring is simply misguided,” he tells us. “In my experience, once people try an escorted tour, they love it. It’s the perfect holiday, in my opinion.”

We sat down with Marcus to chat about his time at Titan and what really makes our customers smile on tour…

What’s your most memorable moment on tour?

I can’t choose just one! For me, the memorable moments are when I can enhance an already magical moment for our customers. For example, there’s a secret spot at ‘Top of the Rock’ in New York City where I take customers for a photo with the best view of the city behind them. It’s great because other members of the public don’t realise that this angle or shot is even possible, so they would have been hard-pressed to find it without being shown.

What’s your favourite tour itinerary?

There’s a lot to choose from, but 'Grand Tour of Australia' has to be my top pick. It offers a tremendous contrast of experiences, from beautiful beaches to exciting cities and the rugged parched interior. It really is a fascinating place and I really do enjoy seeing our customers’ reaction when they see iconic sights such as Uluru for the very first time.

Why would you recommend escorted touring?

The benefits of escorted touring are endless. Everything is planned out in advance, so guests only need to concentrate on enjoying themselves from the moment their VIP transfer picks them up. Plus, on tour, having the help of a tour manager means they are able to see so much more than they would ever find on their own. All attractions are pre-booked and the tour manager is very often able to skip queues to make the most of the time in the destination.

Then there’s the social aspect. One of my favourite parts of being on tour is watching new friendships start. Escorted touring is a great opportunity to meet and make new friends with your travelling companions.

Do you have any top hints or tips for our travellers?

Make and update a packing list – in my experience, most guests take far too many clothes. In the US and Australia, do not bother taking an iron or kettle as these are always provided in the rooms. Personally, I like to take at least two foldable shopping bags which are extremely useful when travelling. And if you’re going to be in the same country for more than a couple of weeks, it might be cheaper to buy a local phone card rather than using your own!

Is there a sense of community on tour with our customers?

Absolutely. Especially on the longer trips, when everyone has been together for two, three or even four weeks. I like to try and encourage guests to sit with different people each evening to ensure everyone gets to know each other and there’s no awkwardness.

You travel all over the world for work, but what’s your favourite travel destination?

My favourite two destinations are Australia and the United States, both of which offer tremendous contrast of extreme beauty, wilderness and exciting cities.

Who do you think is a typical Titan customer?

Titan customers are curious about the world and as such are usually already well-travelled. They are at a stage in their life when they have more spare time to enjoy seeing the world.

What’s the most asked question on tour?

Where is the bar?

Tour managers are a huge part of the Titan holiday experience. If your tour manager helped you to have a fantastic time, leave us a comment on Facebook and let us know!